Collapsible carriage



Dec. 30, 1952 G. c. TERRY COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug, 25, 1951 65045! C. weer Cttomeg Dec. 30, 1952 G. c. TERRY 1 2,523,755

coLLAPsIBLE CARRIAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lhwentor, 65e/e6! C. rf/aey a 52x/@QXL AW Gttorneg Dec. 30, 1952 G. c. TERRY' 2,523,755

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Shet 3 70] gg y 53 gy 95 INVENTOR. 6kg/gef C 756er BY wa/ Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED- STATES PATENT.. OFFICE CLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE George C. Terry, GardenCity, N. Y., assigner to Kamkap, Inc., New York,N. Y., acorporation` of New York Application August 25, 1951, Serial No.243,`608r lazy-tong formation which give an approved measure of support to the upper frame and wherein the side walls are readily collapsible to foldedposition, whereby the unit maybe stored while .occupying a relatively smallV area.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel foldable carriage foretransporting laundry bags Yand other articles wherein the lazy tongs or scissors frames forming the side wallshave anovel toggle-like connection with the upper frame which automatically positions itself in locked relation when the supporting structure is moved from collapsed to extended position and wherein the structure is readily col* lapsed by manipulating a simple lever associated with handle bars carried by the upper frame.

Anotherobjectof the invention is to provide a collapsible carriageccmprising an under carriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, and links pvoted at the corner sections of the latter which form a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of theunderoarriage and which are readily movable from an abovecenter `position when the undercarriage is in an extended position to a below-center position when the undercarriage is collapsedthe undercarriage including opposed side frames comprising centrally `pivoted Scissors bars which form lazy-tongf structures.

A further. object of the invention is to provide an improved structure ofthe character described having-lazy tongV side trames, and wherein novel spring meansare utilized for moving the frames from Afully extendedto fully collapsed positions after i the control members are moved to the center position. In aLmodiied :form of the inventionthe'links'at the upper ends of theside frames ,aregin anfabove center position when the frame is collapsed.:

No specic. articlel carrying container is illustrate'din'connection withthe upper frame since if the device `is. used fortransporting laundry `a` Fig. 4 isayertical section' taken on-line4-6 of Fig. 3;`

Figi. ,5 is. a broken sidefelevationl showing av modiiied formof theinventionwithfthe parts'in extended position;

Fig. 6 Ais asimilar View showing.:the'parts in collapsedposition;`

Fig. 17 is' `a broken sidelrelevation .showing an other mo diiiedjform ofthe invention;

Fig. S shows the same structure in `collapsed position;

Fig. 9 isa brokenfend elevationoi the handle bar arrangement.`

Referring nowmore particularly `to the. drawings,` the undercarriage includes-lower, tubular frame members wand-II centrally pivotedtogether at l2. These framemembersfare essentially scissors bars-and one set of` these members is disposed on each side of the carriage.` At their lower` ends thecfront randrearframe members are-joined by horizontal rods oraXles IB -and i4, at the opposed terminals-of which rubbertired wheels land l5 are freelydournalled.

The undercarriage'further includes upper tubular iramemembers or scissors bars l1 and i8 pivctally joined Itogether somewhatwabove their centers at 2l. At their lower ends the latter frame members are pivoted-to the upper ends of bars I0 and Il `by horizontal rods 22 and 23 extendingV transversely of the rear of the structure. This lazy-tong arrangement on each side of the undercarriage gives appropriate and rigid supp-ort to the upperstructure which includes front-and rear spaced tubular frame members 24 and 25 which are provided at opposite ends` thereof with generally U-sh'aped sheet metal brackets26 which are securedithereto byrivets 21.`

The side plates 3l' of therbrackets aregenerallytriangular in shape, the upper fedges thereof being. substantially parallel -with upper, frame members2425 and, the `lower, connecting walls 32 are diagonally. inclined,- downwardlyandl inwardly. The upper. :frame` members aremaimtainedm theirspaced relation by meansofsubstantiallytU-shapedlend frames 33 and 34 which are secured by means of the rivets -21 directly to the innervertical walls ofthe brackets 26.

At thelower, inner'extremity of each bracket" 25 achannelshapedlinks35formed of sheet metal is pivotally secured' at 36 and extends -inwardly of the-upper frame -frombrackets 26 toward the center Y'of hthevframe -structure'. This' link is of ,substantially U-shape in transverse sec= tionand at its innerextremity 40 it issomewhat narrower thanat its outer extremity and apivot pin 4| joins this inner extremity .vviththe upper extremityof each-of` upper Trame members il and 18.- Substantially` U-shapeduhandl'erbars 42 and 43 extending transversely of the upper frame are pivotally secured at 44 at the outer terminals of brackets 26. Also secured at 45 to each leg of each handle bar 42 and A3 is a lever i5 whose lower extremity is pivotally secured at i? to link 35.

At each side of the frame structure a spring 5| is secured at its lower end to pivot pin 2| and at its upper end it is secured to frame members 24 and 25 at 52.

A substantially triangular bracket 53 is secured at 54 centrally of horizontal frame member 24. A short link 55 is pivoted at 55 at the lower end of bracket 53 and at the opposite ends of said link, links and 6| are pivotally secured at their inner ends at 52. The outer ends of links 50 and 6| are pivoted at 63 to links 35.

When the undercarriage is in its extended position links 35 and the upper terminals of scissors bars 8 underlie horizontal frame members V'2li- 25, the latter acting as stops limiting upward movement of both members. The weight of the upper frame alone and especially of the articles supported thereby prevents'any dislocation of the parts or collapsing of the scissors bars.

When, however, the undercarriage is to be moved to collapsed position the handle bars 42-43 are raised upwardly, thus causing links 35 to be moved downwardly. When pivots 41 pass below a center line dened by pivots 2| and 55 the undercarriage is free to collapse.

Whereas each of the handle bars is to a large extent free to move independently of the other, their conjoint movement is desirable to collapse the structure, and this conjoint movement is aided considerably by levers lit-6| and their in" terconnected link 55.

When the undercarriage is in fully extended position and the handle bars are manually moved toward each other, the upper farine starts to rise due to the action of levers 46 tending to push links 35 downwardly. This rising action of the upper frame places tension on springs 5| and as soon as links 35 get slightly past a position of alignment with scissors bars |7|3 links 35 are free to collapse because pivots ll have passed below the center line defined by pivots 2| and 36. The springs which at this moment are under considerable tension take over the V collapsing motion and quickly drop the parts to the position of Fig. 3.

Similarly, when the undercarriage is raised, springs 5| are again placed under tension and when central pivots 4| pass above the center line of pivots 2| and 36 the upper frame snaps into fully raised position.

The upper frame dened by members 24, 25, 33 and 3A may be used to support any desired article such as a laundry basket having hooks for attachment to the frame.

In the modied form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the upper scissors bars 'l0 are centrally pivoted at 1| and at their upper ends they are pivoted at 'l2 to a triangular plate or lever T3 which is pivoted at 'M to a plate 'F5 secured at 'l5 to upper frame 1l. The handle bar 18 is pivoted at 8| to plate 15.

A second triangular plate 82 is also pivoted at 3| to theA upper frame and at 83 to the handle bar. The `link 84 is pivoted at 85 to plate 82 and at 86 to plate '13. Fig. 5 shows the relation of the parts when the end structure is in extended position. When it is desired to collapse the latter, the handle bars are moved in the direction of the arrows which cause links 84 to 4 draw the outer end of plate "I3 upwardly and its lower end downwardly, thereby permitting the scissors bars to collapse.

In the second modied form of the invention shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the upper scissors bars 9|) are pivoted together at 9| and the upper frame 92 carries a plate 93 having a horizontal slot S4. Elbow links 95 and 96 are pivoted together at 91 and a stop 58 on the former limits downward movement of the two members to a position just slightly below center. A pin iti connects frame member with slot 94 and with link 95. The other link is pivoted at |52 on plate 95. A link |63 is pivoted at ltd on link 95 and at its opposite end it is pivoted at |56 to an offset portion |01 carried by a U-shaped bar |98 mounted in slideways I 09 on handle bar HQ. Springs ||I urge the U-shaped bar away from the transverse portion I |2 of the handle bar. When the parts are in extended position the portions of elbow links 55 and 95 are slightly below center as shown in Fig. 7. When however the transverse portion ||3 of the U-shaped member |08 is moved toward bar ||2 the link |03 causes lever 95 to raise upwardly while thus permitting the outer end of each frame 9i! to move outwardly in slot 94, and allowing the structure to collapse. The first form of the invention is illustrated as being provided with wheels at its lower end bu-t it will be appreciated that any of the foregoing structures can be employed in connection with a non-mobile unit.

While three forms or embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to lthree specific applications thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specic embodiments shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof.

I claim:

l. A collapsible supporting structure of the class described comprising an under structure which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, inwardly extending links pivoted at the corner sections of the frame on the lower surface thereof and forming a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the under structure and which are movable from an above-center position when the latter is extended to a below-center position when it is collapsed, the lower surface of the frame acting as a stop for limiting upward movement of the links, and means for producing substantially conjoint movement of the links in their travel from above center to below center positions and comprising a short link centrally pivoted substantially midway of the upper frame on one side thereof, and third links pvotally connected at one end thereof at the outer ends of the short link and at their other ends between the ends of the first links, the under structure including opposed side frames comprising centrally pivoted scissors bars.

2. A collapsible supporting structure of the class described comprising an under structure which -is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, inwardly extending links pivoted at the corner sections of the latter forming a toggle ,connection between the frame and the upper end of the under structure and which are movable from an above-center position when the latter is extended to a below-center position when it is collapsed, and stop means limiting upward movement of the links, the under structure including opposed side frames comprising centrally pivoted scissors bars, bars pivoted at opposite ends of the frame and levers connecting said bars with said links to manipulate the latter from their upper to their lower positions.

3. A collapsible carriage of the class described comprising an under carriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, links pivoted at the corner sections of the latter forming a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the under carriage and which are movable from Aan abovecenter position when the under carriage is in an extended position to a below-center position when the under carriage is collapsed, a second set of links pivoted to the rst set of links and which are manually manipulable to depress the inner ends of the first set of links to move them from the above-center position to the below-center position, the under carriage including opposed side frames comprising p-lural sets of centrally pivoted, interconnected scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures, and wheels journalled at the lower end of the under carriage.

fi. A collapsible carriage of the class described comprising an undercarriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, links pivoted iat the corner sections of the latter forming a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the undercarriage and which are movable from an above-center position when the undercarriage is in an extended position to a below-center position when the undercarriage is collapsed, the undercarriage including opposed side frames comprising plural sets of centrally pivoted, interconnected scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures, and wheels journalled at the lower end of the undercarriage, handle bars pivoted at opposite ends of the frame and levers connecting the bars with the links to manipulate them from their upper to their lower positions.

5. A collant-i, le carriage of the class described comprising an undercarriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and a generally rectangular upper frame, inwardly extending links pivoted at the corner sections of the latter forming a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the undercarriage and which are movable from the extended position where they Contact the underside of the frame, which acts as a stop, to a lowered position when the undercarriage is collapsed, the undercarr-iage including opposed side frames comprising centrally pivoted scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures, axles mounted at the lower ends of the frames and wheels carried on said axles, handle bars pivotally carried at each end of the upper frame, and levers connecting the .handle bars with the links intermediate their ends to lower the links to collapse the scissors bars.

6. A collapsible carriage of the class described comprising an undercarriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and a generally rectangular upper frame, a bracket mounted at each corner section of the latter, an inwardly extending link pivoted on each bracket and forming toggle connections between the frame and the upper end of the undercarriage, said links being movable from an upper position where they contact the underside of the frame,

the undercarriage is collapsed, the imdercarriage including opposed side frames comprising plural sets of centrally pivoted, interconnected scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures, a spring connecting at least one upper pivot with the upper frame, axles mounted at the lower ends of the frames and wheels carried on said axles, handle bars pivotally carried at each end of the upper frame, and levers connecting the handle bars with the links intermediate their ends to lower the links to collapse the scissors bars.

7. A collapsible structure of the class described comprising an under carriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, levers pivoted intermediate their ends at the corner sections of the latter forming a toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the undercarriage and which are movable from an above-center position, when the under carriage is in an extended position, to a below-center position when the under carriage is collapsed, the under carriage including opposed side frames comprising plural sets of centrally pivoted, -interconnected scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures, a handle bar pivoted at each end of the upper frame and links connecting the latter with the outer ends of the levers to move the inner ends of the levers downwardly as the handle bars are moved, so as to collapse the side frames.

8. A collapsible stri "e of the class described comprising :an undercriage which is movable from a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame having longitudinal slots at the corners thereof, pins slidably connecting the upper ends of the under carriage with said slots, interconnected elbow links pivoted to said upper ends and to said frame at the corner sections of the latter and forming s, toggle connection between the frame and the upper end of the undercarriage and which are movable from a below center to a raised position above center when the undercarriage is collapsed, the under carriage including opposed side frames comprising plural sets of centrally pivoted, interconnected scissors bars which form lazy-tong structures.

9. A collapsible sup-porting structureoic the class described comp-rising an under structure which is movable from -a collapsed to an extended position, and an upper frame, links pivoted at their outer ends at the corner sections of the frame, said links extending inwardly and being pivotally connected at their inner ends to the under structure and forming a toggle connection between the frame and said under structure, said links being movable from an above-center position when the latter is extended to a below-center 'position when it is collapsed, and stop means limiting upward movement of the links, the under structure including opposed side frames comprising plural sets of centrally pivoted interconnected scissors bars forming lazy-tong structures, and wheels at the lower ends of the side frames.

GEORGE C. TERRY.

REFERENES @FEED The following references are of record in the 

